Friday, January 23, 2009

Update

I raced this bike in the rain last year and wore the tires down to the threads! I was a bit shocked to see this after the race. Must have been pretty close before but there was a lot of sliding around at racing speed so.....
Also, a buddy tried out clipless pedals for the first time on my bike. He has since purchased his own setup but not without first taking a stationary spill that snapped one of the titanium spokes on the rear or the Cane Creek. CC said they had used all their spokes for warranty work so I was out of luck. Bought a spare rear wheel from my buddy Mark(again) and, though more worn, the Ti spokes from that wheel can act as backups.
In the interim, I used my faithful Neuvation wheelset. I could immediately tell the difference in the rotational mass. I know many couldn't tell if on a strange bike or with little time but taking the bike on the same routes as usual with the same tires,etc., it became obvious. I was no faster or slower but the perception was strange.
Found some nice wheels on Ebay with American Classic hubs and Ritchey aero rims. They were still new in the box and I paid about $150. If you are patient you can came out okay. These have standard nipples in the rims but are overall lighter even than the CC Ti Velos. I have had to true the rear two or three times(on the bike) Beyond this one is flirting with fragility IMO.
This year? A new frame? We'll see. Build on!